2019 Mega-Conference Set for Feb. 25-27 in Las Vegas

The 2019 Mega-Conference will take place at the Paris Las Vegas. (Photo provided)

This year’s Key Executives Mega-Conference will have plenty on its schedule, including new programming tracks, and more workshops and sessions built around the theme of transformation.

Close to 800 newspaper professionals are expected in Las Vegas Feb. 25-27. The show is hosted by the Inland Press Association, Local Media Association, Southern Newspaper Publishers Association and News Media Alliance, in association with the Nevada Press Association.

“Growing digital subscribers is the top priority across the industry, but we know the reason is to reduce the risk of the declining print advertising business,” said Jay Horton, the show’s executive producer. “So our theme is the transformation from an advertising centric business to one focused on the subscriber. This will include dealing with cultural and technological challenges, as well as the declining trust that media garners from our communities. However, we won’t throw the baby out with the bathwater as there is still so much more we can do for our B2B business. People can expect to walk away with ideas and opportunities to improve and grow their local business relationships.”

Terry Egger, chief executive officer and publisher of the Philadelphia Media Network and E&P’s 2018 Publisher of the Year, will kick off the conference with the keynote address. From there, attendees can choose from a wide range of sessions.

“We’ll learn a tremendous amount about our potential digital subscribers from Jeff Sonderman of the American Press Institute and how we build more and better relationships with these people in our communities,” Horton said. “Speaking of digital subscribers, Anne Kornblut, director of new initiatives, news partnerships at Facebook, will update the industry on how the leading social network is helping local publishers. You also want to tune in when Paras Maniar, president local, Gannett | USA Today Network, shares their strategy on how to win in the B2B space.”

This year’s conference will also increase its focus on the industry’s two distinct customers, said Horton.

“We have developed two tracks filled with industry leading best practices and solutions that will help our leaders develop their strategic approach, complimented with street level tactics that deliver,” he said. “Our first focus this year is for our B2C business and growing subscribers to our digital as well as print audiences. The second track will highlight best practices and opportunities to grow our B2B business across the entire landscape of local solutions that drive results for the entrepreneurs and business owners in our communities.”

Bonus Monday workshops will offer a deeper dive into these topics with interactive programming from Ryan Dohrn, founder of media sales strategy firm Brain Swell Media and the creator of the 360 Ad Sales System, as well as a separate session with teams from Facebook, CrowdTangle and TownNews digging into audience development strategies.

When they’re not in sessions, attendees can stop by the tradeshow floor and visit with vendors.

“Attendees can walk away with actionable ideas and solutions that can contribute to their business right away,” Horton said. “We have more than a dozen presenting on the solutions stage and dozens more on the floor.”

Horton anticipates this year’s show will be the biggest and best one yet.

“One of the best things about the Mega-Conference is the opportunity to all be together, network and find out the latest and greatest,” he said. “This helps make us all better each and every year.”

For more information, visit mega-conference.com.